My PSU ain't cutting it?

[SuperDave1685]

Linkage (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=532014)

I didn't get a whole lot help over in the Motherboard Forums, so I'm asking the PSU gods here. If you read my above thread, you'll realize the computer just won't accept any vcore past 1.51v in the BIOS. And I've had weird rebooting issues with the motherboard lately when doing both warm and cold boots. Is my PSU just not enough for the beast that is my rig? Its completely fine for days and days and days on end, but it just won't allow me to give more juice to my CPU. I'm starting to think that maybe I'm finally maxing out my poor little S12 600W :( It seems like its pumping out enough juice to keep the system going during some multi-hour gaming marathons and riping DVDs, but just barely... I'm thinking about replacing with a PCP&C 750W unit or Antec's new TPQ 850W unit (w00t for the racing stripes!). What do you guys think?

-Dave

[Evilsizer]

i dont think your psu is the problem...

[H2]

Your power supply should handle the system in your sig.
Your Thermochill has its own separate power supply right?

My system is very similar to yours and I run it off a OCZ 520. I have 8 hardrives and a water cooler drawing power from my power supply and my 8800GTS is overclocked and runs perfect.

Have you tried running Prime95 on both cores for 10 hours? Does the voltage on your rails drop under load?

I'm going to get a PCP&C 750 for my next build with SLI cards and a Quad CPU but right now my OCZ 520 has run everything 24/7 full load for over a year.

I think your Power supply should do as well. The only thing I'm not sure about is your multiple rails at 18amp each.

[Trottel]

Yeah, that has nothing to do with the PSU. Also the booting issues are unrelated. If the PSU was a problem, it would happen as the computer turning off or rebooting under load.

[meionm]

Just get new psu and we will know for sure.

[Clockwork_Apple]

Your power supply should handle the system in your sig.
Your Thermochill has its own separate power supply right?
I wasnt aware that a radiator needed it's own power supply... typo? :eh?:

I didnt think it was your PSU until I read you droop from 1.50v to 1.402v. *edit You're reading that with CPU-Z? Software vcore readings are meaningless, use a digital multimeter.

Try unplugging all unneccesary 12v devices, remove HDDs, optical drives, if possible use a low powered graphics card and see if you can boot with 1.51v.

[RollingThunder]

Linkage (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=532014)

I didn't get a whole lot help over in the Motherboard Forums, so I'm asking the PSU gods here. If you read my above thread, you'll realize the computer just won't accept any vcore past 1.51v in the BIOS. And I've had weird rebooting issues with the motherboard lately when doing both warm and cold boots. Is my PSU just not enough for the beast that is my rig? Its completely fine for days and days and days on end, but it just won't allow me to give more juice to my CPU. I'm starting to think that maybe I'm finally maxing out my poor little S12 600W :( It seems like its pumping out enough juice to keep the system going during some multi-hour gaming marathons and riping DVDs, but just barely... I'm thinking about replacing with a PCP&C 750W unit or Antec's new TPQ 850W unit (w00t for the racing stripes!). What do you guys think?

-Dave

Dave,

That Seasonic isn't even close to maxing out on that rig unless it's faulty. No way, no how that PS can't handle that.

[H2]

You are right Clockwork_Apple I thought it said Vapochill or thats what I was thinking. It did say Thermochill. Sorry for asking a dumb question of you SuperDave1685.

I really don't think its your power supply.

An occasional Memory error can cause a reboot or it can corrupt a driver. Have you tried Memtest+ overnight?

[SuperDave1685]

Thanks RT... makes me feel a lot better :D I just read around on XS and [H] about folks that couldn't get their Quad Prime95 stable with their PSU's in the Corsair 520HX - Seasonic/OCZ 600W range until they replaced their PSU with something like a Antec TPQ 850W or PCP&C 750W. I was thinking I might be running into the same problem... I wonder then what in the world could be causing my computer to not be able to boot at any higher vcore than 1.5v... I don't have the first clue as to how to use a Multimeter lol. I'm afraid of touching something and killing my board or another piece of hardware

[SuperDave1685]

Just to clarify, heres what the Seasonic is powering:

Overclocked B3 Q6600 to 3.6Ghz (1.43v)
2GB DDR2 800 RAM overclocked to 500Mhz (2.3v)
2 x WD 74GB Raptors in Raid0
1 x 120GB SATA HD
1 x 8800GTS 640MB overclocked to 620/1250/1000
9 (yes 9) 120mm fans, 5 of them being 114cfm Panasonics (aka LOUD)
2 cold cathodes
D5 pump
1, 80mm fan

[RollingThunder]

Thanks RT... makes me feel a lot better :D I just read around on XS and [H] about folks that couldn't get their Quad Prime95 stable with their PSU's in the Corsair 520HX - Seasonic/OCZ 600W range until they replaced their PSU with something like a Antec TPQ 850W or PCP&C 750W. I was thinking I might be running into the same problem... I wonder then what in the world could be causing my computer to not be able to boot at any higher vcore than 1.5v... I don't have the first clue as to how to use a Multimeter lol. I'm afraid of touching something and killing my board or another piece of hardware

Dave,

Maybe I'm missing something but by any method used to calculate your load, it still doesn't come close. I'm looking at ~ 450 - 475 watts being generous. You're ok up to ~1.500 vcore. It would be a shame to replace your power supply with one of those more expensive ones only to find no improvement. I'm not up to date on the Intel quads.

Multimeter red lead into one of your spare molex plug's yellow wires and the black lead touched to a ground. Your steel case will ground it. You won't hurt anything. I think that Seasonic is a 4 rail 12v, maybe it can't distribute the load evenly, I don't know. Did anyone explain on the [H] forum the specific problems? Maybe Oklahoma Wolf can give an opinion.

I don't suppose you have a bigger power supply available to borrow?

[SuperDave1685]

Nope I sure don't :( I don't have a multimeter either. I'm broke :cry: I believe the Seasonic only has 2, 12v rails, with 18A on each if I remember correctly. Heres just a ocuple I was looking at:

Corsair 620HX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002)- has 3, 12V rails, with 18A each

PCP&C Silencer 750W Quad (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009)- has 1 large 60A 12V rail.

Both of those PSU's are the same price, but the large, 12V rail of the PCP&C is alluring. 60A is more than the 620HX (18 x 3 = 54) and more than my Seasonic (18 x 2 =36)

[RollingThunder]

Nope I sure don't :( I don't have a multimeter either. I'm broke :cry: I believe the Seasonic only has 2, 12v rails, with 18A on each if I remember correctly. Heres just a ocuple I was looking at:

Corsair 620HX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002)- has 3, 12V rails, with 18A each

PCP&C Silencer 750W Quad (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009)- has 1 large 60A 12V rail.

Both of those PSU's are the same price, but the large, 12V rail of the PCP&C is alluring. 60A is more than the 620HX (18 x 3 = 54) and more than my Seasonic (18 x 2 =36)

Dave,

If you are going to get a bigger ps, get that PCP & Cooling. More is better!

I looked up that Seasonic S12 600 and it does look like 2 12v rails @ 18amps each. If so, looks like you're topped out regardless of the watts. Maybe we all learned something. Please post back if you're fixed! Oorrah!

[Clockwork_Apple]

Corsair 620HX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002)- has 3, 12V rails, with 18A each

PCP&C Silencer 750W Quad (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009)- has 1 large 60A 12V rail.

Both of those PSU's are the same price, but the large, 12V rail of the PCP&C is alluring. 60A is more than the 620HX (18 x 3 = 54) and more than my Seasonic (18 x 2 =36)
I thought the HX series had one 12v rail despite what Corsair claim? Didnt Jonny prove this a while ago in a review.

Dave, have you tried removing some hardware and seeing if you can boot with 1.5v? Perhaps remove that 120GB HDD and some of the fans?

[RollingThunder]

I thought the HX series had one 12v rail despite what Corsair claim? Didnt Jonny prove this a while ago in a review.

Dave, have you tried removing some hardware and seeing if you can boot with 1.5v? Perhaps remove that 120GB HDD and some of the fans?

C_A,

Yes, those Corsair HX520 and HX620 are single rail 40 amp and 50 amp. OW explained rather than go through the UL lab tests again with the cost and time required, they left the advertising labels as they are but they are single rail.

[SuperDave1685]

If so, looks like you're topped out regardless of the watts.

I'm not sure I follow you?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Both of those PSU's are the same price, but the large, 12V rail of the PCP&C is alluring. 60A is more than the 620HX (18 x 3 = 54) and more than my Seasonic (18 x 2 =36)

But not more than the Corsair TX750, which is also a good choice ;)

As mentioned, the HX620 is single 12V@50A internally.

[Immortal_Hero]

I'm not sure I follow you?

The 18 amp rails won't handle more. I can recommend the PC P&C Silencer 750 Quad. I have one and it is the best PSU I have owned to date. Thing is a beast! My system in my sig doesn't even warm it up. The fan speed has never increased. It is a very well built unit. It has enough connectors to run 2 systems almost. I would recommend it despite the cost. Remember you get what you pay for. I got mine for 190 and just last weekend the egg had them for 150 with free ship. They may still have that deal going on.

Edit:

170 + free ship till the end of Nov @ the Egg, still a pretty good deal and you shouldn't have to buy another PSU for a long time.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009 they have it in red @ the same price too.

[RollingThunder]

Dave,

Couple other for both the Corsair VX750 OW mentioned and the PCP & Cooling units:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007112

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005611

ZZF has free shipping and no tax outside California. I have found their shipping to be prompt too.

[SuperDave1685]

So you guys think that I'm pushing too much on the dual 18A rails then, eh?

[RollingThunder]

So you guys think that I'm pushing too much on the dual 18A rails then, eh?

Dave,

I'm not the expert and I was a little surprised your S12 600 was only two 12v rails @ 36 amps combined. Must be an older model because their 550w and 650w current models are 4 12v rails with more amps @ 41 and 52 combined respectively.

Looks like Immortal_Hero hit on it correctly. With a big single rail 12v you won't be concerned with distribution between rails.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

So you guys think that I'm pushing too much on the dual 18A rails then, eh?

Maybe - I'm not 100% sure on that yet.

[SuperDave1685]

Doing some calculations? I do know that I'm using I'm using 5 of these (http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/pa12ulhisp.html) puppies on my radiator if that helps any

[Nebulous]

I gotta chime in here; Dave there's noway you're taxing that psu at all. If need be I'll lend you my DMM so you can check your rails to be sure.

What might be the problem is in some uncanny way that psu might be faulty, but then it's a big if.

So before you go out and splurge on a new psu, pm me ;)

[SuperDave1685]

Hmmm well I read Johnny Guru's review of my PSU a while back and it seems like a well built unit though...

[RollingThunder]

Hmmm well I read Johnny Guru's review of my PSU a while back and it seems like a well built unit though...


Dave,

It is! For that range power supply, it's near the top and as good as any.

How high have you seen your CPU overclocked? Could you be at the end of its capabilities? They do vary.

[SuperDave1685]

Well I'm getting a 750W PCP&C from [H] for $100... sooooo I'll soon see if that fixes the problem! :D

[Nebulous]

Well alrighty then! :)

[RollingThunder]

Well I'm getting a 750W PCP&C from [H] for $100... sooooo I'll soon see if that fixes the problem! :D

Dave,

If that PCP & Cooling doesn't solve it, you can always sell it to Neb for a small profit. His knees start to shake when anyone mentions PCP & C! :D

[SuperDave1685]

Hahahaha I'll report back when I get it in! I can't wait! Like I told Neb, I'm going to be pwning some n00bs with my 133t PSU :D w00t! :bday:

[runsalone]

Dave, hopefully my PSU fixes your instability issues. I was running a severely overclocked e6600, two 8800 gtx and about 5 hard disks at any given time with it. The test paper says it was producing around 830 watts on the testbench. (Remember to give me your shipping address in a PM so I can ship it tomorrow morning).

[meionm]

Hahahaha I'll report back when I get it in! I can't wait! Like I told Neb, I'm going to be pwning some n00bs with my 133t PSU :D w00t! :bday:

Waiting for results.

[SuperDave1685]

Patience young grasshopper!

[SuperDave1685]

Just a quick question... I know the PCP&C are great PSU's, but the drop on the 12v line as seen here (http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=124&page_num=3) in Johnny Guru's test... is this anything to be concerned about? Antec's True Power Quattro 850W shows less ripple and more rail regulation. I know 60A is a lot of juice flowing, but do you guys think its anything to be concerned about?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

is this anything to be concerned about?

Nope :)

[SuperDave1685]

Sweet :D

[mlhm5]

Your power supply is not the problem, you got 48amps available and are not using 35amps.

My guess is that your OC is the issue.

[SuperDave1685]

??

Well I got in my new PSU today.. Hopefully, I'll be able to get her swapped in there and give her a go :D

[SuperDave1685]

Well..... I got my new PCP&C 750W Silencer here.... All the voltages are great according to the BIOS... 12.24v on the 12V, 3.34v on the 3.3v, and 5.05v on the 5V. But.... the problem is still there :cry:

Even when i set the cpu to stock speeds, it won't let me raise the vcore over 1.510v...:bang head: So frustrating....

[gigabit]

I wish i had your problems ..lol But seriously i hope you get it worked out.What bios are you using ? Maybe just maybe its something like that.

[SuperDave1685]

Well I reflashed my BIOS. I'm now able to successfully choose 1.54v in the BIOS, 1.49v actual. Prime 95 stable bitches :D :D

[Blazing fire]

Corsair 620HX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002)- has 3, 12V rails, with 18A each

PCP&C Silencer 750W Quad (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009)- has 1 large 60A 12V rail.


According to Corsair, "Advanced circuitry design that automatically enables power sharing between the triple +12V rails in an event of overload on any single +12V rail. " I agree that the silencer quad has a higher amps on the 12v rail but the 750watts is rated at consisten use or peak? The HX is rated at consistent use...

[SuperDave1685]

I take that back. It Primed for about 15 minutes and shut down. I tried to reboot it.. no go. Same thing as before, except now it won't let me boot at any vcore above 1.5350v in the BIOS (1.4850v actual according to CPU-Z and uGuru). An improvement over the previous limit of 1.5150v max. But the funny thing is I tried flashing to the Beta 1.6 v3 BIOS during lunch. I was able to boot at a selected 1.55v and reboot, but it hung on post. Once at post code 50, once at post code 26 I believe. So I'm thinking that it might be a BIOS issue thats keeping me from selecting a higher vcore. Do you guys think it could be a BIOS limitation with my Engineering Sample chip?

[Evilsizer]

what if its the ES chip? try another cpu if you can...

[SuperDave1685]

hahaha sure... loan me that 6400 ya got and I'll let you use my Q6600 while I test LOL

[Evilsizer]

hahaha sure... loan me that 6400 ya got and I'll let you use my Q6600 while I test LOL
well i thought about selling but im not sure yet... cant take the lack of FPS on my 8800GTS with the celeron-L even at 3.2ghz@1.33v. well if you want i could loan ya the celeron-L for the quad....:santa: